During Safety Week, from October 4th to 12th, 2025, nitrous oxide cylinders, weapons, and illegal fireworks were once again successfully removed from the streets. A total of 80 kilograms of fireworks (compared to 76 last year), 11 nitrous oxide cylinders, and 54 weapons were handed in at collection points this year, including knives, axes, blackjacks, an air pistol, a gas-pressure rifle, blank pistols, black powder, and even an old musket. This represents a significantly higher yield than last year. In addition, bag and locker checks were conducted at several secondary schools in The Hague. During checks at restaurants and cafes, 4.9 kilograms of drugs and 12 knives were found. The municipality of The Hague, together with the police, law enforcement, the Public Prosecution Service, youth organizations, and secondary schools, is increasing its efforts to improve safety in the city.
Mayor Jan van Zanen said of the action: “With this action, we’ve removed dozens of kilos of explosives, knives, and other extremely dangerous items from the streets. That’s precisely why we’re doing this: to make our city a little safer. Every knife, weapon, or bomb off the streets is a win.”
Weapons, fireworks and laughing gas collection campaign
During the collection campaign, residents could hand in their weapons, (illegal) fireworks and empty nitrous oxide cylinders anonymously, free of charge and without consequences at six locations in the city.
This year, a total of 80 kilos of fireworks, 11 nitrous oxide cylinders, and 54 weapons were handed in, including knives, axes, blackjacks, an air pistol, a gas-powered rifle, blank pistols, black powder, and even an old musket. The firearms were not part of the action, but were first examined by the police and will be destroyed.
In 2024, 76 fireworks, 14 laughing gas cylinders and 56 weapons were handed in.
Since 2020, people have been able to hand in fireworks anonymously and without criminal consequences in The Hague every year in the run-up to New Year’s Eve. Since 2021, weapons can also be handed in. This year, they could be handed in at various locations throughout the city: Escamp, Laak, Segbroek, Haagse Hout, Transvaal, and the city center. Previously, a central drop-off point was in place.
Notable moments
A striking moment was the handing in of a 23-kilo package of fireworks. Also noteworthy: a man and his child turned in a Cobra 6 (firework) that he had, with good intentions, placed in a jar of water. He thought he’d defuse it this way, but that’s precisely what created an unstable situation and turned it into a bomb.
One resident brought cake to the drop-off point to express how happy he was with this initiative.
Mayor at Haagse Hout collection campaign
On Saturday, October 11, Mayor Jan van Zanen visited the drop-off point at Aegonplein in Haagse Hout. Together with Dennis den Os, head of operations for The Hague police, he emphasized the importance of a safe city and expressed his appreciation for residents who take responsibility by dropping off their belongings.
Catering inspections
In the city centers of Centrum, Scheveningen, and Laak, 17 safes were emptied from bars and restaurants. Nearly 4.9 kilograms of drugs and 12 knives were found. Police are destroying the seized substances.
Locker checks at schools in The Hague
Bag and locker checks have been carried out at several secondary schools in The Hague. These checks contribute to a safe school environment and provide insight into what happens at schools.
Under the watchful eye of community police officers, random or full checks were conducted. Pepper spray or a pocketknife was found at one school. Other items found were primarily those prohibited at school, such as vapes, lighters, and hard-knuckled gloves. No items were found at several schools.
Municipal safety officers were also present. They spoke with students about safety at school and in the neighborhood. In some classes, additional information was provided about the reasons for the checks. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and share experiences about peer pressure and school rules.
The results show that few risky or prohibited items were found. The schools visited were considered safe learning environments.
Education lessons on gun violence and peer pressure
During Safety Week, the Confro Foundation provided interactive informational lessons at three community centers (Centrum, Laak, and Escamp). The lessons covered gun violence, peer pressure, and resilience.
In an interactive program, young people were confronted with the consequences of gun glorification and social pressure. Afterward, they discussed choices, boundaries, and responsibility.
Working together for a safe The Hague
During Safety Week, the municipality of The Hague and its partners are focusing on awareness, prevention, and enforcement. Every cylinder, weapon, and piece of fireworks handed in makes The Hague safer.
